Our Top 10 Favorite Travel Books

Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn—We urge everyone to read this incredible book. The title is from a Chinese proverb, “Women hold up half the sky.” This well-researched and wonderfully written book presents the stories of women who have suffered brutal injustices all around the world, including girls who are kidnapped and forced into sex slavery in Cambodia, women who are systematically raped as a method of control in Sudan, and new mothers who are outcast and left to die in Africa because of injuries suffered during child birth. But the tales are not intended to be voyeuristic—they are stories of resilience and hope. The authors write of people and organizations that are working tirelessly to bring about change—providing education, health services, and restoring dignity and self-respect. The book also provides detailed information about ways in which readers can get involved and contribute to that change.

Every once in while, a book comes along that can be described as “magical”—so beautifully written that it evokes a heart pang long after the last word has been read. This book was that way with us and provided the inspiration for our motorcycle journey across Bhutan. Despite its rather abrupt ending, it is still one of our favorites.

On a whim, the author announced at a cocktail party that he was going to travel around the world on a motorcycle—not an easy feat in 1932! This book follows that 18-month ride through 22 countries, with challenging conditions, almost impassable roads, and some sticky political situations. A tale of “true adventure,” this book may leave you pouring over a world map as you start plotting your own journey.

Have you ever dreamed of selling your belongings and traveling the world, going where your heart leads, opening your eyes and mind to new discoveries, with no plans and no end in sight? This is what the author did. At the age of 48, with her marriage dissolving and her children grown, she starts her ongoing journey—immersing herself in other cultures, forming bonds with people around the world, and embarking on an internal voyage of self-discovery. We applaud Ms. Gelman’s courage and freedom of spirit that allows her to live her dream.

This book is more than an adventure about a woman who walked 1,700 miles across the Australian Outback, accompanied only by some camels. It is about the sacrifice and tenacity of one person in fulfilling a dream. Through her bold example and lack of apology, Ms. Davidson shows how to be true to your own calling, regardless of how others think you “should be” leading your life. While we weren’t left with “warm and fuzzy” feelings toward the author as a person, we can’t help but admire her honesty and her ambitious determination to succeed. And her story is a fantastic read!

In the 1970’s, Ted Simon spent four years on a motorcycle, traveling 78,000 miles around the world, and having the time of his life. We devoured this account of that journey, sharing his thrills, misadventures, fears, and even love. Most of the book relays his fascinating experiences in Africa and South America. While we wish he had devoted as much time to his travels through Asia, we still found his story to be riveting and inspirational.

While this isn’t exactly a “travel story”, the book presents an in-depth look at the Hmong community that resides in central California. At the center of the book is a young Hmong girl who is suffering from severe epileptic seizures. The author has created a compassionate and beautifully written account of the cultural clashes between two groups—the U.S. medical doctors, with their scientific approach to treatment, and the Hmong community, with their traditional spiritual beliefs and practices. What happens when each side believes that they are doing the “best thing” for the girl’s well-being? This is a powerful book that not only opened our eyes, but also gripped our hearts.

This is a harrowing account of one boy’s journey to the United States from Honduras to find his mother. Riding on top of freight trains through Mexico, he became one of the thousands of children and adults who travel north every year with the hope of slipping through the U.S. border illegally. The author provides new insight into why some people try so desperately to reach the U.S., often suffering violent abuse from those who prey on their vulnerability. Well-researched and very moving, this book was hard for us to put down.